Introduction: The “Pop” You Don’t Want to Hear
For a production manager in a glassware or ceramic factory, the sound of a “pop” during the marking process is the sound of lost revenue.
Laser marking is supposed to be the non-contact, permanent solution to inkjet (which wipes off) or sandblasting (which is messy). However, glass and ceramics are brittle materials with low thermal conductivity. When you hit them with the wrong laser wavelength, they don’t just engrave—they explode on a microscopic level.
This phenomenon is Thermal Fracture. It creates micro-cracks that might not be visible immediately but compromise the structural integrity of the product. A micro-crack on a consumer wine glass is a safety hazard; a micro-crack on an electronic ceramic substrate is a circuit failure waiting to happen.
At HeatSign, we see this struggle daily. Customers ask: “Do I need the expensive UV laser, or can I get away with the cheaper CO2?”
This guide breaks down the physics, the economics, and the microscopic results to help you decide.